Earnings Per Share (Net Income (Loss) for Purposes of Determining Basic and Diluted EPS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributed to Vector Group Ltd.	$ 4,599	$ 23,175	$ 24,015	$ 19,338	$ 7,904	$ 12,466	$ 17,607	$ 21,221	$ 71,127	$ 59,198	$ 36,856
Income attributed to participating securities									(2,241)	(1,752)	(1,024)
Income attributed to participating securities									(2,241)	(1,752)	(1,024)
Net income available to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.									68,886	57,446	35,832
Net income available to common shares attributed to Vector Group Ltd.									$ 68,886	$ 57,446	$ 35,832